Power driven can openers



w. E. GUNDELFINGER ETAL 2,794,245

June 4, 1957 POWER DRIVEN CAN OPENERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 21, 1955 m G 3 NR W Wm R N O M m NE v w H M w W. .T A A0 u W Y W B June 4, 1957 w. E. GUNDELFINGER E'IAL 2,794,245

POWER DRIVEN CAN OPENERS 5 Shee'ts-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 21 1955 IN VENTOR3 AM [.GUNDELFINGER JOHN T: HELLYER BY Ml Col ATTORNEYS.

June 4, 1957 w. E. GUNDELFINGER ETAL ,2

POWER DRIVEN CAN OPENERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 21. 1955 Mir? FIG.8

feeding wheel which United States Patent li 2,794,245 POWER DRIVEN CAN OPENERS Application December 21, 1955, SerialNo. 554,450 7 Claims. (Cl. 304) This invention relates generally to improvements in can openers, and more particularly to an improved electrically powered can opening machine.

It is an important object of the present improvements to realize a powered can opening machine in which the power unit can be quickly and easily removed from the body so that the body and can-cutting and -feeding mechanisms can be thoroughly cleaned with steam or other suitable means as required by health regulations, and 'which can be easily reassembled for subsequent operation.

Another important objective is achieved by a coupling operatively disposed between the power means and the is readily connected and disconnected automatically incident to assembly and disassembly of the power unit with the can opener body.

Still another important object is realized by the 'imthe feed wheel shaft with a drive shaft that is operatively connected to the power means, the structure including .an angularly shaped arm on one shaft engaging a bar 'on the other shaft to provide a driving connection. Other advantages are realized in that the coupling structure maintains its connection as the feed wheel and shaft are moved eccentrically into and out of operative relation 'to'the cutting wheel.

Yet another important objective is realized bythe provision of resilient means for mounting the power means on the platform of the power unit, the resilient means permitting automatic adjustable movement of thepower means to compensate for any misalignment of 'the feeding wheel shaft and the drive shaft of the power means,

proved structure of the coupling operatively connecting perfect alignment of the shafts being otherwisepractically impossible because of the tolerance variations and because of the eccentric movement of the feeding wheel mechanism. It is extremely advantageous that the resilient mounting permits the power means to move with the thrust caused by the coupled drive shafts so as to minimize bearing wear.

A further important object is achieved by the provision of an electrical circuit including a-switch inassociation with the power means, and of a revolvable means including eccentric arm movableto a switch-closing position upon moving the feeding wheel eccentrically into operative relation to the cutting wheel. An additional safety featureis provided by a spring means tending to move the eccentric arm to a switch-openingposition,-.thus automatically stopping the power means as soon as pressureis removed from the arm.

Another important object is realized by the provision of a powered can opening machine that is durable .in construction and capable of heavy duty operation, economical to manufacture, easily and quickly assembled and disassembled, and which can bereadily manipulated to open cans of various sizes.

The foregoing and numerousother objectsand advantages of .the invention will more clearly appearfrom the connection 'of the in cross section, of the can "body of'the can opening machine,

particularly when considered in connection with the ac companying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 isan end elevational view of the can opening machine;

Fig. 2 .is a fragmentary, side elevational view, partly opening machine shown in Fig. 1;

.Fig. 3 is a top plan power unit cut away and shown in cross section, can opening machine shown in Figs. 1 and2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, cross sectional view "of the can opening machine as seen along 'line 4--4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in cross section as seen along'line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view, "as seen along line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. '7 is a vfragmentary end view, with the housing of the of the partly in cross section,

elevational view of the the power unit being removed;

Fig. 8 is an end elevational view of the power unit of the can opening machine, the body of the machine being removed;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the can opening machine similar to that shown in Fig. l, but with 'the eccentric lever moved to a position so that the feeding wheel is located in an inoperative relation to the cutting wheel;

Fig.'1'0 is a bottom plan view of the power unit of the :can opening machine, and

Fig. 11 'is a side elevational view of the can opening machine showing the power unit removed from the body, and showing an emergency crank operatively connected Yfor'm'anual operation.

'Referring now by characters of reference to the drawings, the various parts which constitute the operating mechanism of the can opening machine are mounted .on ahead .member 10 (Fig. 4), preferably a metal casting, which member is rigidly secured to the upper end of aisquare sectioned tubular column 11. The head member':10 is provided with an integral depending neck 12 that 'fits snugly within the upper end of column 11, and is secured therein by depressed linear ribs 13 of the column '11 that interfit preformed transverse recessesin neck 12. Column 11 extends through the square bore of collar 14 which is formed as an integral portion of a base plate casting 15, the collar 14 projecting downwardly from one end of the base plate as shown. An integral lug 16 at the lower end of collar 14 is suitably drilled and threaded .to accommodate the threaded shank of a clamp screw 17 by which the base plate 15 is adapted to be clamped to a table or other suitable horizontal support. I

It .willbe understood that the column 11 is adapted to .be adjusted vertically and to be secured in its adjusted position so as to fix the operating head of the machine a distance above the table or support best suited to the height of the can to be opened. To secure the column 11 in adjusted position there in provided an extremely simple, yet highly effective clamping device consisting of flat shoe member 18 (Fig. 6,) which normally occupies an internal recess-or longitudinal channel-like formationinside of collar 14, the shoe member 18 being adapted to be pressed inwardly against the side of column 11 by means of a thumb screw 19. The pressure shoe member 18 is'loosely'hinged at its upper end to the wall of collar 14, being so connected and held against removal from the collar'by a later-ally ofifset, reversely bent head end following detailed description of a preferred'embodirnent',

21 which extends through an opening in the collar wall.

Describing now the operating head and particularly the .cansdriving and feeding mechanism, the head .member 10 has a horizontal bore in which is journalled:.a

a "suitable manner to the knob 30 at its end, the

- 3 revolvable eccentric means including a bearing cylinder 23 (Fig. 4). Cylinder 23 has an eccentric bore lined by a bearing sleeve 24 in which is journalled a feed wheel shaft 25. A washer 26-of greater diameter than the bearing cylinder 23 seats against the forward end face thereof, the washer 26 being provided with an eccentric opening to accommodate the threaded end portion of shaft 25, on which portion is mounted a peripherally toothed feeding wheel 27. The outer face of the feeding wheel 27 lies substantially flush with the vertical front surface of subjacent shoulder 28 formed integrally on head member 10, and with the front surface of column 11.

'The bearing cylinder or eccentric 23 projects rearwardly from the head member casting 10, and secured in projecting part is an actuating eccentric arm 29 (Figs. 13) which carries a manipulating knob 30 being mounted to project laterally from the arm 29 as shown. The eccentric cylinder 23 is limited to a 180 degree range of arcuate movement by the engagement of a lug 31 (Figs. 2 and 7) on eccentric arm 29 with stop shoulders 32 on head member 10. When the feeding wheel 27 is moved by the eccentric cylinder 23 to its uppermost position, which is the operating position of the feeding wheel 27, the eccentric arm 29 extends horizontally to one side of the can opening machine, as is shown in Fig. 1. -Movement of the eccentlic arm 29 to the opposite limit position horizontally on the opposite side of the can opening machine as shown in Fig. 9, shifts the feeding wheel 27 downwardly away from cutting wheel 34.

The cutting wheel 34 (Fig. 4) has opposite sides which converge to a sharp cutting edge. An integral collar or neck portion 35 projects axially from the inner side of the wheel and abuts the outer end face of a plunger member 36 to which the cutting wheel 34 is rotatively attached by means of an axle stud 37, the stud 37 con,- sisting of a screw threaded into an internally threaded bore in the plunger member 36. The plunger member 36 occupies a bore in the head member casting 10, the bore extending through the head member at an angle to the axis of the feeding wheel 27. A part of this bore is of enlarged diameter to accommodate a coil spring 38 that encircles the plunger member 36, the spring 38 being normally held in a compressed condition with its lower end seating against a shoulder 39 and its upper end pressing against an enlarged head portion 20 of the plunger member 36. Spring 38 presses the plunger member 36 inwardly, which has the effect of urging the cutting wheel 34 inwardly or in the direction to reduce the space between the cutting wheel 34 and the feeding wheel 27.

The relative spacing of the cutting wheel 34 and feeding-wheel 27 is of importance when these members are cooperating to open a can. If the space is too great an irregular, ragged cut results, and the flange of the can is apt to slip through the space, thus causing the can to become detached from the operating members of the machine. When the inner face of cutting wheel 34 is too close to the outer face of feeding wheel 27, the cutting wheel tends to shear or shave particles of metal from the can flange, which particles generally and undesirably find their way into the contents of the can. A satisfactory spacing of these members has been found to be approximately twice the thickness of the can metal.

The adjustment means for tutes an adjustable abutment for the plunger member 36, the plunger member 36 being forced against the plug 40 by spring 38. Plug 40 is threaded in the bore and is provided with a diametral kerf for engagement by a screw driver. While the cutting wheel 34 is capable of outward movement, opposed by the spring 38, to permit a seam or other thickened portion of the can wall to pass between wheels 34 and 27, the normal spacing with respect to the feeding wheel 27 is determined by the caused by grasping sharp position of the abutment plug 40 which may be threadedly adjusted.

To assure a driving traction of feeding wheel 27 on the rim of the can, there is provided a pair of vertically yieldable pressure feet 41 (Figs. 3 and 9) arranged to bear downwardly on the can rim at points circumferentially before and behind cutting wheel 34. These pressure feet 41 consist of L-shaped members secured by rivets 42 to a movable housing plate 43. The housing plate 43 is mounted to slide vertically on head member casting 10 and is provided with channelled side portions 44 (Fig. 7) which slide on vertical guide rails 45 formed at the sides of the head member casting. The shaft 37 and neck portion 35 of cutting wheel 34 extend through an opening in the front wall of housing plate 43. Downward pressure is exerted on slidable housing plate 43 and is transmitted through the plate to pressure feet 41 by the action of a compression coil spring 47 (Fig. 4) that is received in vertical recess 48 formed in head member 10.

spring and through an opening in the upper end of the head member casting 10. The enlarged slotted head of the screw 50 seats on the top wall 51 of housing plate 43.

A magnetic lid lifting unit generally indicated at 55 in Figs. 2 and 3, is provided to prevent personal injury lids. The magnetic unit includes a bracket having side and magnet assembly referred to generally at 58, the assembly 58 consisting of a cup-shaped container 59 attached by screw 60 to portion 57. A permanent magnet 61 is diswheels 34 and 27. It will appear that the lid lifting unit may be easily assembled by pressing the bracket arms 56 over the housing piece 43 until the top bracket arm 56 engages the top. In order to remove the unit 55 for cleaning it is merely slid up and off of housing piece 43.

A power unit generally indicated at 62 (Fig. 2) is detachably connected to the body of the can opening machine and is operatively connected to the feeding wheel mechanism. The power unit 62 includes a platform 63 having depending side flanges 64 and depending front end flange 65 (Fig. 4). Attached by rivets 66 (Fig. 8)

Each of side portions 68 includes a hook formation 69 (Figs. 2 and 8) adapted to receive an abutment 70 projecting laterally outwardly from each side of column 11 as is shown in Figs. 2 and 7. It is seen that the 70 on each side of column 11 is formed by a pin passed Q Formed in the lower end of each side portion 68 is a slot 72 extending vertically from the lower edges (Figs. 8 and 10) which receives and seats the shank of bolt 73 (Figs. 2 and 7). The bolt 73 is extended through column 11 and is threadedly connected to a cooperating wing nut 74.

To connect the 11 is placed between the side portions 68 of bracket 67, passed through horizontal slots Then the platform 63 and bracket 67 are to clamp the bracket 67 rigidlyv in place.

Mounted and carried on platform 63 is an electric motor 76 and a cooperating gear-operated speed reduction unit 77, the speed reducing unit 77 and motor 76 constituting a power means for automatically rotating feeding wheel 27 as will be later described. The speed replatform 63 tion of a resilient rubber element 83.

wheel shaft 25 when ducing unit 77 is bolted by fasteners 7 8 to the. motor housing to provide a unitary structure.

the resilient means includes a rubber grommet -79 fixed to platform 63 and a T-shape'd washer element 80 extending upwardly through the grommet 79. A screw element 81 extends upwardly through washer 80 and grommet 79 and is received in a threaded recess formed in speed reducing unit 77, the screw element'81 securely fastening the power means 76 and 77 to the resilient grommet 79. As a result of this resilient mounting of the power means 76-77 to platform 63, the power means is permitted to move slightly during operation of the can opening machine for purposes and advantages which will later appear.

The motor 76 is also supported by an additional resilient mounting which includes an upstanding boss 82 on which is recessed to receive a reducedpor- The motor 76 seats on rubber element 83 during normal operation of the can opening machine, yet is permitted to move as mentioned above.

The power means 76-77 includes a drive shaft 84 normally substantially aligned axially with the feeding the revolvable means is eccentrically moved to the position shown in Fig. 4.

The shafts 25 and 84 are operatively .connected by a coupling which includes a U-shaped arm 85 (Figs. 4 and 8) secured to shaft 84 by nut'86, the arm 85'having side portions 87. The feeding Wheel 25 extends rearwardly beyond the eccentric sleeve '23 and carries abar '88 (Figs. 4 and 7) extending laterally outwardly on opposite sides of the extended'shaft portion. When'platform 63 is securely mounted on column 11,'the 'bar'88 is located inside U-shaped arm 85 and adapted to engage the opposed side portions 87. A circular cup-shaped shield 89 is secured to the cylinder 23 of the revolvable eccentric means, the shield substantially enclosing the rotatable bar 88 and its driving connection 'with arm 85 and drive shaft 84. The power unit 62 includes a housing 90 that covers the motor 76 and speed reducer 77, and extends forwardly to a point just to the rear of eccentric arm 29.

Because of the tolerance variations as well as the eccentric movement of feeding wheel shaft 25, it is practically impossible to have perfect axial alignment between feeding Wheel shaft 25 and drive shaft 84 when the feeding wheel shaft 25 is brought to its operative position shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Any misalignment of shafts 25 and 84 causes a side thrust and consequently causes excessive bearing wear. The resilient mounting provided by rubber grommet 79 permits the power means 76-77 to move with the thrust,.and hence automatically adjust for any possible misalignment.

An electrical circuit generally indicate by 99 in Fig. 2 is operatively connected and associated with the motor 76, and includes a switch 91 (Fig. 4) mounted and car ried on platform 63. The switch 91 provides a switch element 92 (Figs. 1 and 9) extending upwardly above platform 63. A leaf spring 93 is secured to platform 63 by screws 94 (Fig. 3), the spring 93 extending over switch element 92. Attached to coupling shield 89 'along its periphery is an angular foot 95 which is adapted -.to engage the top of leaf spring 93 immediately overlying switch element 92 when the eccentric arm 29 is moved to one of its limits as shown in Fig. 1. As pressure is applied to eccentric arm 29 (Fig. l), the foot 95 engages spring 93 and depresses switch element 92 so as to close the electrical circuit and actuate the motor 76, and hence cause operative rotation of feeding wheel 27. When foot 95 is moved away from spring 93 and switch element 92, the circuit is opened and the operation of motor 76 is stopped. It will appear that leaf spring 93 tends to urge foot 95 and eccentric arm 29 in a switch-opening position, thus spring 93 permitsthe switching element92 to move to aswitch-opening position automatically as soon aspressure is removed from eccentric arm 29.

'It is thought that the operation and functional advantages of the improved can opening machine have become fully apparent from the foregoing detailed description,

:but for completeness of disclosure it will be noted that and nut 74 being conveniently retained by column 11 at all times. The wing nut 74 is tightened and the power unit 62 is secured in position. Automatically upon :assembly of the power unit 62 to thebody of the-can opening machine, the side portions 87 of U-shaped arm are positioned on opposite sides of coacting bar 88 to pro- -vide a driving connection.

When the eccentric arm29 is moved to its limit as shown in Fig. 9, the revolvable means including feeding wheel 27 and shaft 25 .is moved to its lowermost position providing themaximum spacing between wheels 27 and .34. The can is then placed as described previously with its rim between the cutting and feeding wheels. Then the eccentric arm 29 is moved to its other limit as shown in Fig. 1, which results in moving the feeding wheel 27 and shaft 25 eccentrically to their uppermost position and into substantial alignment with drive shaft 84. At that instant, the foot engages leaf spring 93 and depresses switch element 92 to close the electrical circuit and actuate motor 76. The motor 76 acting through speed reducing unit 77 rotates drive shaft 84, which actsin .turn through the coupling provided by U- shaped arm 85 and coacting bar 88 to drive the feeding wheel shaft 25 and feeding wheel'27. As the lid of the can is severed by cutting wheel 34, it is retained by magnet 61 of the magneticlid-holding assembly 55.

As the eccentric arm 29 is moved from the switch closing position of Fig. l to a switch opening position shown in Fig. 9, the foot 95 disengages spring 93 andpermits opening movement of the switch element 92, and hence stopping the operation of motor 76 and stopping relation of feeding wheel 27. As the eccentric arm 29 is manually rotated to the position shown in Fig. 9, the revolvable eccentric means moves the feeding wheel 27 back to its lowermost position to release the can. It will appear that at all times during the eccentric movement of the feeding wheel 27 and wheel shaft 25, the U- shaped arm is located on opposite sides of coacting bar 88 to maintain a connection of the coupling.

Of course the power unit is readily disassembled from the body of the can opening machine by merely loosening wing nut 74 to permit disengagement of abutments 70 from book formations 69, and disengagement of bolt 73'from slots 72. The body of the can opening machine can be then thoroughly cleaned with steam or other suitable means as required by health regulations.

In the event of power failure, the power unit 62 may be removed from the body of the can opening machine, and the cutting and feeding mechanism manually operated. A crank 96 (Fig. 10) is carried by platform '63 on its underside, and is retained by fastening elements 97. The crank 96'is provided with diametrically opposed slots98 at one end which are .adapted to receive the .opposite sides of bar 88 attached to feeding wheel shaft 25. In Fig. 11, he crank 96 is shown attached to the feeding wheel assembly, adapting the can opening machine for manual operation.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed reference to a single preferred embodiment, such detail is to be understood in an instructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many variants being possible within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

support said platform We claim as our invention: 1. A can opening machine comprising a body, cutting and feeding wheels rotatively mounted on said body, a power unit including a platform and a power means mounted on said platform, means operatively connecting the power means to said feeding wheel, a bracket on said platform having side portions embracing said body, hook formations on said side portions, abutments on said body adapted to interfit said hook formation to on said body, a fastening element extending through and carried by said body, each of the side portions being provided with a slot adapted to receive said fastening element when said abutments are interfitted in said hook formations, and securing means on said fastening element adapted to clamp the side portions to said body, and hence detachably connect the power unit to said body.

2. A can opening machine comprising a body element, cutting and feeding wheels rotatively mounted on said body element, a power unit including a platform element and a power means mounted on said platform element, a hook formation on one of said elements, an abutment on the other element adapted to interfit said hook formation to support said platform element on said body element, means detachably securing said platform element to said body element to retain the hook formation in adjusted interfitted relation to said abutment and a coupling operatively disposed between and interconnecting said power means and said feeding wheel, said coupling including interfitting arm elements adapted to permit adjustment of the platform element relative to said body element incident to assembly and disassembly of said abutment in said hook formation.

3. A can opening machine comprising a body, cutting and feeding wheels rotatively mounted on said body, a power unit mounted on said body, a shaft connected to said feeding wheel, said power unit including a power means having a drive shaft, revolvable means for permitting eccentric movement of said feeding wheel and wheel shaft into and out of substantical axial alignment with said drive shaft, a driving connection between said shafts including interfitting arm elements adapted to permit eccentric movement of said feeding wheel and shaft, said power unit including a platform, and a resilient means mounting the power means on said platform adapted to compensate for any misalignment of said shafts.

4. A can opening machine comprising a body, cutting and feeding wheels rotatively mounted on said body, a power unit mounted on said body, a shaft connected to said feeding wheel, said power unit including a power means having a drive shaft, revolvable means on said body for permitting eccentric movement of said feeding Wheel shaft into and out of substantial alignment with the drive shaft, means providing a driving connection between said shafts including interfitting arm elements adapted to permit eccentric movement of said feeding wheel shaft, said power unit including a platform, a resilient means including a resilient element attached to said platform, and a fastening element extending through the resilient element and attached to the power means, the resilient element supporting the power means on said platform and adapted to compensate for any misalignment of said shafts.

5. A can opening machine comprising a body, cutting and feeding wheels rotatively mounted on said body, a

shaft connected to permitting eccentric spartan said feeding wheel, a power unit mounted on said body and including a power means having a drive shaft normally substantially aligned axially with said wheel shaft, revolvable means on said body for movement of said feeding wheel shaft into and out of substantial alignment with said drive shaft, an angularly shaped arm attached to one of said shafts, a bar attached to the other said shaft, said angularly shaped arm engaging the bar to provide a driving connection and yet permit eccentric movement of said feeding wheel shaft, said power unit including a platform, and a resilient means mounting the power means on said platform to compensate for any misalignment of said shafts, said arm and bar engaging operatively to cause the power means to move with the thrust.

6. A can opening machine comprising a body, cutting and feeding wheels rotatively mounted on said body, a shaft connected to said feeding wheel, a power unit mounted on said body and including a power means having a drive shaft normally substantially aligned axially with said wheel shaft, revolvable means for permitting eccentric movement of said feeding wheel and wheel shaft into and out of substantial alignment with said drive shaft, a substantially U-shaped arm attached to one of said shafts, and a bar attached to the other said shaft, said bar engaging the opposite sides of said U-shaped arm to provide a driving connection that permits eccentric movement of said feeding wheel shaft, said power unit including a platform, a resilient element attached to said platform, and a fastening element extending through said resilient element and attached to said power means, the resilient element supporting the power means on said platform and permitting the power means to move to compensate for any misalignment of said shafts, said arm and bar engaging operatively to cause the power means to move with the thrust.

7. A can opening machine comprising a body, cutting and feeding wheels rotatively mounted on said body, a power unit including a power means connected to said body, a driving connection between said power means and said feeding wheel, revolvable means for permitting eccentric movement of said feeding wheel into and out of operative relation to said cutting wheel, an electrical circuit including a switch in association with said power means, said revolvable means including an arm, said arm being movable to a switch-closing position upon moving said feeding wheel into operative relation to said cutting wheel so as to actuate said power means, spring means operatively engaging said arm in the switch-closing position and tending to move said arm to a switch-opening position upon release of presser on said arm, and hence serving to stop the power means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,318,493 Johnson May 4, 1943 2,361,561 Mueller Oct. 31, 1944 2,484,504 Hanby Oct. 11, 1949 2,532,898 Drugman Dec. 5, 1950 2,552,682 Lopez May 15, 1951 2,555,931 Raab June 5, 1951 2,703,448 Balson Mar. 8, 1955 2,710,444 Ripperger June 14, 1955 

